The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1887-05-28
Her Butterfly Lover.
by GERALDINE FLEMING.

81 think l understand" the girl said
with an infection, half OF pain and half of
scorn in her proud young !, oice.
Cleve Ayrnurst made a little gesture Of
impatence, born perhaps of some slight
twinge of conscience. .r.-...
Il must haye spme thought of myself, OF
my family, Estelle," he responded uneas-
lily.
The girls clear yiolat eyes dilated and
darkenedi If before she had any doubt of
his meaning, she had none now.
'lt is because my dear Renefactress had
no money to leave me, because she babe
me tell you all about ptor papa and the
letter saying he is coming back" she fall
tered, and then her voice failed her.
"ln my deferring our marriage l should
be sorry to have you misjudgS me, Estelle, :"
said he, wncing before the strange look of
her pale, proud, lovely face.
~ do not misjudge you," she returned.
With an abrupt change of manner. "And
our marriage can never be! You are free,
Mr.. Ay'hurst, as free IS If NO engagement
ever existed between us.n
'If you wish it so. there is nothing more
to be said," he answered, rather sulenly.
Cleve Agrhurst was the sort of man to
vafae an object just in prGportisn 40 it was
beyond his reach, and in that moment he
knew that Estelle Stanley had passed be-
yond his reach forever.
And as she stood there IN her pale, proud
loveliness, slim and statuesaue in her dead
black garElants, with her rich golden hair
shining like crown above her exquisite
brows, he was conscious of something like
regret.
"Do you really wish II 20, Estellep' he
asked dpHbtfully.
But few minutes before the girl would
not have wished it so.
She was bereayed of her kind old pro-
tectress; she was without friends, home or
fortune. and she had felt SO helpless to face
the world aloEei
But this man-her betrothed husband
had changed in her sight.
Because her protectress had died almost
impecunious instead Of making her the
heiress the world had believed she would
be made; because, at the last, it had been
revealed that somewhere she had father,
who had disappeared upder circumstances
not particulaFig eceditable, and who was
liabie To return, to be to her. perhaps, a
burden and ignominy; Cleve Ayrhnrst had
suggested an indefinite postponement OF
their marriage.
OF such a lover she desired nothing; she
only wished she might retain no memories
of having cared for one so calculating and
cowardly.
''You are Free" she said simply and
firmly, in reply to his last question, as she
held toward him the Retrothal hoop of
pearls.
"You have never cared fer me over
much, ! fancy" he said, with aR inc9n-
sistent air of affront, as he somewhat un-
willingly took the ring.
"BGFhsps Eat," saId she, arising to term
mate an interview, which had certainly
been pleasant ta neither Of them.
"Well, l shall bRar yoa no malicef' he
remarked, with an attempt of cheerful un-
concern, as he withdrew from the room.
Once alone, her look of proud compos-
ure vanished. She leaned her golden head
dejectedly against the azure plush cushions
of her chair, and tear after tear Eolled slow
ly down her pale cheeks.
She was oppressed by the stFpggIe spd
uncertainty which were shadowed before
her; she felt desolate, heaFt-sick, and al.
most weary Of life.
As she sat there, gentleman opened the
door and entered, paused, and, then again
advanced toward her.
"Estelle," he said softly, as he placed a
gentle hand upon the bowed golden head
''Estelle, has 1t been as feared it would
beP''
at has been as YOU Rfsdicted," she as
sentel dFearlly. ''Mr. AyrhnFst knows
haven't penny in the world; he knows
have parent who might be discredit t.
his alliance with me, he knows all, and hi
felt compelled to think Of himself, of hi
familgH she added bitterly.
9'There is one who will never forsak'
you, Kstelle," the gentleman said, ip hi
low, grave, gentle voice.
\ ~ am sure Of that, Mr. Dsnnlng, an
indeed" Estelle answered, with gratefu
smile into the earnest face bent over be
] chair